A FATHER of two whose life was shattered when his arm was ripped off in an horrific works accident has been awarded more than #400,000 in damages.

A FATHER of two whose life was shattered when his arm was ripped off in an horrific works accident has been awarded more than #400,000 in damages.

Kenneth Johnson, aged 58, from Tipton, has splashed out on a #60,000 Porsche after winning the out-of-court settlement of #412,000.

But he said today that he would give back every penny if he could turn back the clock to before the tragedy, which happened at Lozells-based bakery Russells Foods on June 6, 2003.

The firm was fined a total of #25,000 and ordered to pay costs of more than #3,500 after admitting two heath and safety charges relating to the accident.

Birmingham Crown Court was told that Mr Johnson, manager of the bakery department, was cleaning the bowl of a dough-milling machine when his right arm became trapped between rollers.

Firefighters spent two hours trying to free him by dismantling the machine but eventually doctors were forced to amputate his arm at the scene.

Mr Johnson, who has a wife Beverley, a 50-year-old hospital social worker, claimed the guard on the machine had been broken for almost two years and even though he had reported it repeatedly nothing was done.

He said the accident was more than four years ago but he still endured vivid flashbacks and could not erase the "blinding agony" from his mind.

"I still wake up sweating some nights, suffering the pain all over again in my mind," he said.

"I remember vividly my arm being dragged into the machine. I was in agony and there was blood everywhere ? it was like something from a horror film.

"I still have to see a psychiatrist twice a year.

"I am obviously satisfied with the settlement but no amount of money can ever compensate me losing my arm like that and I would gladly give back every penny if it meant getting my arm back."

Mr Johnson has been unable to work since the accident but is studying an IT course at City College in Handsworth.

He said he had spent some of his payout on a #60,000 Porsche Cayenne, improvements to his home and was planning a trip to America with his wife later this year.

Mr Johnson's solicitor Mr Paul Hackney said that Russells Foods had admitted liability and had settled the case days before it was due to go to court.